Supreme Court: Uphold it

This morning saw individual insurance requirements, likely the most controversial aspect of President Obama's healthcare overhaul, upheld. Known as the Affordable Care Act, the Supreme Court delivered their decision in a 5-4 decision.

Allen Waldo, CEO of Cooper County Memorial Hospital in Boonville, briefly spoke to the Daily News about the landmark event.

This morning saw individual insurance requirements, likely the most controversial aspect of President Obama's healthcare overhaul, upheld. Known as the Affordable Care Act, the Supreme Court delivered their decision in a 5-4 decision.

Allen Waldo, CEO of Cooper County Memorial Hospital in Boonville, briefly spoke to the Daily News about the landmark event.

"Obviously, we saw a very historic vote and decision handed down today by the Supreme Court. As usual, we're here to serve the public and we'll continue to do so – we will always abide by the laws and legislation that we see passed in Washington. The positive side of the law is that it allows many people that don't have healthcare to get or continue to get it that otherwise wouldn't have coverage. It'll be interesting to see what happens if Mitt Romney is eleceted, or if President Obama remains in office come election time. At this point, Cooper County Memorial Hospital will continue to abide by Federal laws that are or will be enacted," said Allen Waldo, CEO of Boonville's CCMH.

The National Federation of Independent Business' Missouri office issued the following statement:

“While we're certainly disappointed, NFIB respects the decision to uphold the individual mandate by the Supreme Court. Clearly, this mandate has now become a tax on all Americans and a broken campaign promise from President Obama not to raise taxes. Under the health-care law, small-business owners are going to face an onslaught of taxes and mandates, resulting in job loss and closed businesses. NFIB will continue to fight for the repeal of health-care in the halls of Congress. Only with a full repeal of the law will Congress have the ability to go back to the drawing board to craft real reform that makes reducing costs a number one priority. The power and control of health-care decisions should be in the hands of the consumer, not the government.”," said Brad Jones, state director of NFIB/Missouri.

A release from the American Hospital Association President and CEO, Rich Umbdenstock touted the Supreme Court's decision.

"Today's historic decision lifts a heavy burden from millions of Americans who need access to health coverage. The promise of coverage can now become a reality. The decision means that hospitals now have much-needed clarity to continue on their path toward transformation. But transforming the delivery of health care will take much more than the strike of a gavel or stroke of a pen. It calls for the entire health care community to continue to work together, along with patients and purchasers, to implement better coordinated, high-quality care. Now that the Supreme Court has made its decision, hospitals will continue their efforts to improve the law for patients, families and communities," said Umbdenstock.